YOU'LL LOVE WATCHING TV ON YOUR MAC!
VIEW : CAPTURE : CONVERT FOR iPOD : BURN : SHAREWatching and recording television on a Mac has never been easier or more powerful. An ever growing range of Apple TV tuner related products are available for Macintosh OSX. ElGato dominates the Mac DVR - PVR Video Recorder Tuner market with it's EyeTV software and hardware; its video recording software has matured to become a world-class Macintosh OS X application. Integration with iTunes, Apple's Front Row, and support of the Apple Remote solidify the Mac's place as a mini home media center powerhouse.
Changes in the Mac from USB 1.1 to 2.0, PPC to Intel, improvements to the iPod Video, Touch, & iPhone over the years has inspired Eye TV to keep refining features to edit, burn and export movies and televised content to iPod, iTunes library or disc more easily than ever. EyeTV is so good, many 3rd-Party tuner devices license a special EyeTV Lite software bundle rather than write their own. However, 3rd Party options are worth exploring. Recently, Equinux joined the market with its TheTube software and its new USB Hybrid TubeStick device. With competing TV products like Hauppauge's MyTV for Mac,
Pinnacle's
HD TV for Mac, ,
new mini-Stick and others - there's a great range of
TV tuners for every price bracket to capture, edit and
share content.
PAUSE : RECORD : REWIND - TAME YOUR TELEVISION VIEWING
With Tivo-like time-shifting software features, the ablity to watch, pause, rewind or schedule your favorite programs is simpler than ever. Functions of a PVR/DVR - Personal Digital Video Recorder have been reduced to TV gizmos barely larger than a USB flash thumb drive or a small desktop box with multiple inputs to connect a wider-range of video gear.
LCD IMAC & MAC MINI: TOP HTPC HOME MEDIA CENTER CHOICES
The Mac mini
is
proving to be a popular, affordable home theatre media
center option. With the right DVI video
adapter/connections, and featuring Optical/Analog
audio ports, it can be the heart of a versatile Apple
centric HTPC system. Likewise, the large 20" & 24"
diplays of Apple's current
iMac
line with decent built-in stereo speakers make them an
instant HD desktop television & theater minutes
after plugging in a Digital TV tuner. Complimented
with an AppleTV unit, Your iTunes video downloads and
all controlled by an Apple Remote - you can control
your entire media collection.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TV TUNER FOR MAC OS X
Television is a complicated set of many technologies. The transition from Analog towards Digital isn't helping making a purchase easier. Any television gizmo you buy needs to work today - with an eye to the future. That largely depends on HOW you receive your signal: For Digital Cable subscribers, you'll want a CLEAR QAM capable tuner. Satellite users should also call their providers to get clear info on thier technology roadmap. For those using antenna reception, QAM does NOT matter. The change from Analog to Digital occurs on Feb 17th 2009: Channel assignments are going to shift, the tuner you buy MUST support Digital at that point, the kind and size of antenna you need might change.BEST: EyeTV 250 PLUS Hybrid Receiver & Video Converter
Digital & Analog with turbo HARDWARE
COMPRESSION which reduces the CPU load on your
computer when watching and capturing video. Includes a
Remote and Toast 8 Basic disc burning software. Note:
This 2008 model of the 250+ now supports unencrypted
Clear QAM Digital cable.
ULTIMATE: *IF you already have EyeTV software* consider the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Networked Digital Dual-Tuner
:
Ethernet-based strictly Digital HDTV receiver with TWO
tuners - Allows multiple Mac's on a home/office
network to watch, record and share ATSC antenna
reception or Clear QAM digital cable. This link is
to the OEM product and is NOT bundled with EyeTV. For
the full HDHomeRun bundle, you can order it direct
from ElGato's online store.
BETTER: ElGato 2008 QAM EyeTV Hybrid TV Receiver and Video Converter
:
Digital & Analog with Composite/S-Video Input.
Great affordable choice, both now and in the
future. Uses SOFTWARE COMPRESSION for capturing
& exporting clips, so the faster the Mac you got
the better. Supports ATSC Digital & Analog antenna
reception as well as Analog & Digital Clear QAM
over cable/satellite.
ALTERNATELY: The Equinux TubeStick Hybrid Tuner for Mac and PC
with The Tube 2 software in the U.S. Supports Analog
and ATSC & HD Clear QAM Digital via Antenna/Cable.
Bundled with BOTH Mac software & Windows XP-Vista
Media Center PC drivers, it's a good choice for
Intel Mac owners running Dual-OS Mac
environments. The Tube Stick should should eventually
be in-stock at the Apple
Store Online soon.
*NEW* : PINNACLE MICRO'S Ultra Tiny QAM TunerTV for Mac HD Mini Stick
is
noted for it's ultra-compact size, claims to use
signal-boosting technology fro better reception - and
comes bundled with EyeTV Lite.
PURE DIGITAL: The Miglia TVmini HD Express
with Remote and bundled with The Tube software may
be the right choice if you're ready for DIGITAL-ONLY
now via digital cable or ATSC antenna - and don't need
Analog options at all:
VALUE MAC & PC CHOICE: Use an antenna or have SD Analog cable? Don't need QAM? The Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 950 Hybrid TV Stick
Model 1145 is another good cross-platform choice;
bundled with BOTH the Mac version of EyeTV LITE and
Windows PC drivers. FYI: this is the same OEM hardware
as ElGato used for it's non-QAM Hybrid - at a
discounted price. Pinnacle Micro offers a similar
tuner. Ideal for frugal shoppers or Cross-Platform
users, but note you only get the LITE version of
EyeTV.
IF AND ONLY IF you already own EyeTV 3 software - the Clear QAM version of the Hauppauge 950-"Q" WinTV HD TV Tuner Stick with Clear QAM and Remote Control is a very viable option for Cable users needing QAM in the $75 price range. For those without EyeTV3, we'll have to wait for the 950Q version of a Mac-compatible retail boxed tuner to be released.
CHEAP: Miglia TV Micro Express
ANALOG-ONLY: For the majority of folk getting Analog
Cable or Satellite TV this might have 3 year or more
lifespan IF you're content with SD - Standard
Definition reception. Might be a reasonable choice
at a bargain price. If using an antenna, you can
continue to use these Analog-Only models after the Feb
2009 over-the-air digital transition by connecting it
to a low-cost DTA converter box. (see FAQ page)
FEED A MAC & iPOD YOUR FAVE TV CONTENT
USB - ETHERNET - FIREWIRE OPTIONSThe most affordable receivers on the Mac are USB 2.0 based TV Tuner Sticks - and with modern, fast Macs deliver fine performance at your desk or on the road. For more serious videophiles, Hardware based encoders with multiple inputs are the smart choice. And for multi-Mac home networks, Ethernet-based tuners like the Digital-Only HD Home Run allow the family's computers to access and share the device. Unfortunately for Prosumers wanting FireWire 1394 options, ElGato and others have discontinued their Fire Wire based Analog tuners - with no ATSC/QAM units to replace them.
HORSEPOWER REQUIRED: MAC TV ON AN OLD SYSTEM?
Video is very demanding and requires USB 2.0 ports. More recent G5 Macs and Core Duo Intel CPU's are best able to keep up with full-screen viewing and HD content. Models like the 250+ that support hardware compression are a smarter buy for slightly older G4/G5 Macs on 10.4.x - the minimum system reqirements for most tuners. Power-users wanting to speed up compression and export speeds for iPod/Touch/iPhone should opt for the Elgato Turbo.H264 - Video Encoder Hardware
to
try to crunch a 90 minute movie down to size ALOT
faster.
ANALOG vs DIGITAL COMBO TUNERS:
With the FCC's Feb 17th 2009 ruling to cease traditional analog Over-The-Air broadcasts, and switch to ATSC digital antenna reception. Cable companies are eager to upsell you to premium digital channels. Hence, a 'Hybrid' A/D HD QAM tuner is your smartest long-term investment. If you buy or already own an analog-ONLY gizmo, a Converter Box can extend an Analog TV tuner's usable life-span beyond 2009 using an antenna and let you start enjoying crystal clear digital reception. Converter boxes from companies like Magnovox, RCA, Philco, DigitalStream, AccessHD can affordably keep your existing analog devices working after the cutover. See FAQ page for more on this transition. If you're getting your TV via Analog cable, you won't be immediately affected by that transition: The FCC has mandated that cable companies maintain their current Analog cable service for a minimum of 3 YEARS to 2012 or beyond.
ELEGANT SOFTWARE MAKES IT FUN & EASY!
EyeTV 3 INTRODUCED AT MACWORLD '08 EXPOEl Gato's fabulous EyeTV Software is at version 3.x. Existing EyeTV 2 owners can upgrade to v3 for $39.95. A free upgrade is only available if you purchased a qualifying ElGato unit after December 1st, 2007. 3rd-Party units, such as from Hauppauge that shipped with EyeTV Light 1.1x can upgrade for $49.95. This pricing poses a bit of a challenge, the money you might save on a 3rd party tuner may be overridden if want the latest full version of EyeTV instead.
There are viable Mac tuner options other than ElGato's EyeTV line. This picture hints at the broad range of supported tuners here in the US and abroad. Many of these 'Mac' tuners are based on OEM hardware using the Empia EM2880 - Xcieve XC3028 chipset that both ElGato and other's use - and Eye TV sofware is either bundled or can work with. So if you're not happy with the bundled apps that ATI Miglia, Pinnacle or Equinux provide, you _might_ be able to 'upgrade' your tuner by upgrading to ElGato's latest software. Do your research on very specific model support first.
THE TUBE 2.7.4 UPDATE: EQUINUX ADDS MORE DEVICE SUPPORT
THETUBE 2.8 UPDATE: EQUINUX FOCUSES ON RELIABILITY & BUG FIXES
Equinux is working hard to improve their The Tube software and give EyeTV serious competition. TheTube has some very innovative and collabrative features to share your favorite content with others online. The latest update adds support for a broader range of tuners both for North America NTSC and other DVB-T broadcast standards abroad. If you own a supported unit you can purchase TheTube software direct for $19.95 and give it a test drive.
FYI: TheTube currently supports the following devices: Equinux TubeStick (DVB-T/DTT), Equinox Tube Stick Hybrid (ATSC/QAM/analog), Miglia TVMini, Miglia TVMini HD, Miglia TV Mini & TVMini2 Express Tuners, Miglia TVBook Pro Express, Miglia TVMicro & Express, Terratec Cinergy T2, Twinhan DTV Alpha, EyeTV for DTT, Digitus DVB-T Digital USB, Freecom DVBT USB Stick, MSI Digivox Mini, Hauppauge WinTV-Nova-T-Stick, Digittrade DVB-T USB"
* QAM - 'Clear' (Unencrypted) Digital support in a tuner may or may not matter - and only applies to Cable subcribers! Talk to your local Cable Provider FIRST to see if and what and how they support it - if at all. QAM is irrelevant to antenna users, period.
EXPAND YOUR APPLE TV MEDIA CENTER
APPLETV : TAKE TWO
Click To Save $$$ On RECERTIFIED AppleTV Units
The second iteration of the Apple TV with 40GB Hard Drive
introduced at MacWord Expo 2008 is a significant step
in the right direction. Now capable of directly
accessing, purchasing and downloading content over the
internet. You can bypass your computer if so desired -
and do it all from the new on-device interface. A
smart move; For many, an Apple TV just didn't make
sense. It really presumed you had a ton of content
already on your Mac which many folks simply
didn't. The real consumer want is RENTING MOVIES
sitting on thier couches - (See Roku Neflix Player
below) and that's all doable now with the new AppleTV
software update. With a lower price on the Take Two
model and completely re-thought software (a free
upgrade to reward existing AppleTV owners) Apple's
revised media center software is one step closer to
expanding AppleTV's appeal.
APPLE TV's GOT COMPETITION... FROM NETFLIX
The newly announced $99 Roku Net Flix Player might put a serious dent in Apple's efforts. Netflix's low-cost streaming, affordable approach is going to appeal to alot of consumers - a huge number of those who already rely on Netflix on a weekly basis. The back panel is loaded with additional goodies like Composite & S-Video outputs. This gives much broader connectability to millions of SD TV sets than the AppleTV's high-end HDMI or Component only options. Remains to be seen how this fares in the marketplace: Lower streamed video quality - but it's got BROAD appeal and customer loyalty - at a low price point.
COMPOSITE & S-VIDEO OPTIONS
Many mid to high end Mac TV tuners offer options to connect analog devices via Composite RCA or S-Video connectors: Older camcorders, VCR and DVD Players, Game Machines and whatnot. It's a shame that older VHS video cameras in particular can't be used as a webcam. None of the current tuners seem to support being recognized as a QuickTime VDIG compatible input source that programs like iChat, Yahoo Messenger, Skype